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COLUMBIA, S.C. — Prepare for “The Stare” at South Carolina games next season.

The Gamecocks hired fiery Frank Martin from Kansas State to re-energize a program that had dropped to the bottom of the Southeastern Conference.

Martin spoke for nearly an hour in front of several hundred fans, media and South Carolina administrators. Afterwards, he was asked to demonstrate his harsh, laser-like stare, which was a featured attraction at Wildcat games the past five years.

“It’s something that happens when it’s time to compete,” Martin said, laughing.

Martin says the time for the Gamecocks to compete is now.

He told the players Tuesday morning that they weren’t far off from SEC success, despite going 10-21 and 2-14 in the league this season.

“I’ve got to figure out a way, and that’s my job, to get them the confidence that they need to win that next game,” Martin said.

Not that it will be easy.

The Gamecocks lose their leading scorer in senior Malik Cooke. Their No. 2 scorer, point guard Bruce Ellington, was back at football practice Tuesday after announcing two weeks ago that he would only play basketball next season.

Martin will have two scholarships to use for next year’s club and possibly three if Ellington sticks to playing two sports and he is on a football scholarship. The new coach says he’s already begun tapping recruiting contacts.

“We’re on it already,” he said.

Martin doesn’t have to rush. He got a six-year deal worth $12.3 million. He’ll make $1.9 million this fall, a step up from his salary of about $1.4 million with the Wildcats.

South Carolina also agreed to pay Martin’s $1 million buyout at Kansas State.

South Carolina athletic director Eric Hyman spoke with former coaches, players, the NCAA and administrators in the search for a new coach to replace Darrin Horn.

“Quite frankly, we feel like we’ve got the right person,” he said.

Martin, 46, called it a whirlwind courtship with South Carolina that really took off this weekend while the coach was in New York helping CBS Sports with its coverage of the NCAA Tournament. Martin joked that he had basketball studio analysts Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Greg Anthony urging him to take the job before he left.

“That’s how much respect people have for South Carolina basketball,” Martin said.

Martin was 117-54 in five years with the Wildcats. They reached the NCAA regional finals in 2010 and lost to Syracuse in the third round this season.

Martin thanked everyone at Kansas State and discounted any rift with Wildcat athletic director John Currie for the decision to leave. Martin was upset that the school suspended forward Jamar Samuels for the Wildcats’ tournament loss to Syracuse.

However, “that administration has been phenomenal. I can’t be more thankful for how that administration treated us. They gave us what we needed,” Martin said.

“Our league will miss him. I’m sure people in Manhattan (Kan.) will, too,” Self said. “He was nothing but good things for our basketball league.”

Now, the SEC has another outsized personality to matchup with league heavyweights like Kentucky’s John Calipari and Florida’s Billy Donovan. Martin said he got a text from his friend, Alabama coach Anthony Grant, that read, “Frank, our league just got better.”

Martin is the son of Cuban immigrants who coached high school basketball in Miami for 15 years and was an assistant at Northeastern for four seasons before Bob Huggins brought him on to his staff at Cincinnati. Martin credits Huggins with jump starting his career, saying the current coach at West Virginia helped him get into college coaching.

Martin knew about South Carolina’s program from following former Gamecocks star Devan Downey, who spent his freshman year at Cincinnati when Martin was assistant to then Bearcats coach Huggins. Martin remembered watching highlights of Downey and his teammates celebrating their stunning 68-62 victory over then No. 1 Kentucky in 2010.

Things slumped for South Carolina under Horn since that high point. The Gamecocks lost 24 of their last 27 SEC games. Horn finished his career at South Carolina 23-45 in league games and 60-63 overall with thee losing seasons in a row. Attendance fell drastically this season with opponents like Ohio State and Kentucky outdrawing the Gamecocks in games played here this winter.

Martin praised Horn for running a clean program and improving the team’s once poor academic showing. Horn did a lot of good for this basketball team, except for winning.

“It’s my duty to try and complete that part,” he said.

Martin promised his team’s tough-nosed style and relentless work ethic would fill the arena.

“We will put 18-thousand in this place every game,” he said.

Football coach Steve Spurrier won a record 11 games last fall, baseball coach Ray Tanner has won the past two College World Series and women’s basketball coach Dawn Staley earned the team’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament in nine years.

Spurrier said he met with Martin for a few moments before the press conference.

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The same thing happened to Roy at KU. He didn't get along or agree with the direction of the AD and administration, so he left for another job. It's easy to say the right things when it is going your way, but once you get told "no" by someone who didn't hire you, then things change.
Martin left KSU better off than when he got hired, so it was win-win for KSU and Martin. I hope he continues to do well, and I hope KSU finds a good coach. Competitive football and basketball games between KU and KSU are more fun for the state.

"Martin thanked everyone at Kansas State and discounted any rift with the athletic administration contributing to his decision to leave."
Oh really. That's a stuipd remark by Martin. I love the guy and all, but everyone knows the main reason he's leaving K-State is because John Currie and Frank Martin didn't get along. It has nothing to do with money. If K-State wanted to keep him they would have publicly committed to keeping him in the program and provide him more bucks. Neither one of those things happened. Currie wanted him out the door and Frank didn't want to be micromanaged so this is the result.

"shenanigans." And I will wait for the real story. Going from a winning program to the worst in Carolina, give me a break. KSU was even willing to "offer" a big upgrade to his current contract. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and smells fishy? Fugit about it.

Hire a proven coach and recruiter if you can find one and pay him whatever it takes. I dont want to go back into medicority. Tim Jankovic and the other names that I have heard are just that...mediocre. Currie you blew this one big time but you have a chance to redeem yourself. Hire the right guy!!!!!!!!!!!

Sure he played at KSU in the 80's and has HC experience (if you call mid-major Illinois State experience) but his record isnt all that impressive in a very weak conference and his recruiting abilities are worse yet. I keep hearing talk about KSU assistant Brad Underwood. What is his track record? Sounds like the current players are all for it. Would still agree with the prior post and try to get a big name. Just dont know if there are many out there who are willing to play second fiddle to Self and KU.

has already said no to Illinois so I doubt that he would listen to KSU. But even though Brad Stevens of Butler has said no to Illinois, I think he would listen if the dollar signs are high. Andy Katz of ESPN made mention that Stevens has ties to the state of Kansas but not sure what they are.

referring to Brad Underwood and what track record does he have? What exactly did Frank do before he took over the program? He had been nothing more than a HS coach with a little bit of college assistant experience. He proved you don't necessarily have to have a track record to be a good HC. If the players want and believe in Brad, I say give him a chance. He has been the real recruiter for the team anyway.

Don't be fooled into thinking that KSU has a chance for a big name with a good resume. KSU's program isn't better than Illinois, Oklahoma, and etc who had the hot coaches like Smart and Stevens say no to them the past two years. They appear to be holding out for a top 10 program. Illinois is a top 25 program, and KSU is a top 50 program.
KSU might be able to get a big name who screwed up at a previous stop like they did with Huggins, and KU did with Weis.

Don't be fooled into thinking that KSU has a chance for a big name with a good resume. KSU's program isn't better than Illinois, Oklahoma, and etc who had the hot coaches like Smart and Stevens say no to them the past two years. They appear to be holding out for a top 10 program. Illinois is a top 25 program, and KSU is a top 50 program.
KSU might be able to get a big name who screwed up at a previous stop like they did with Huggins, and KU did with Weis.

that wasnt a slam when I asked Underwoods 'track record'. I have heard that he has been a KSU guy for years but I thought he came along with the Huggins group. One of my co-workers said (after I posted) that Underwood played under Hartman in the 80's but I havent had a chance to check. Thinking Jankovich was playing under Hartman in the 80's as well. As I said, sounds like the players might be pushing for Underwood so he must have a positive influence.

Others will say they are moving on "to be closer to their families/spend more time with their families/advance professionally/etc." No coach wants to really say why he is leaving. Martin was being effective for K-State and making them a competitive basketball team. Hopefully KSU can build on his foundation.